LongHouse Reserve’s 2025 “Luminosity” Benefit Illuminates East Hampton with Art, Nature, and Community
East Hampton, NY – July 12, 2025 — A radiant evening unfolded in East Hampton as LongHouse Reserve hosted its annual Summer Benefit, themed “LUMINOSITY.” With the 16-acre sculpture garden bathed in vibrant light and filled with live music, joyful laughter, and art lovers from near and far, the night was nothing short of magical.
Photos by BFA
“This is our most successful benefit ever!” declared Louis Bradbury, LongHouse Board President. “We’re grateful to our incredible co-chairs, Gael Towey and Raisa Lopez-Rhoden, for their leadership in bringing tonight to life.” The event sold out before invitations were even sent—a testament to the power of community and the magnetism of LongHouse.
Photos by BFA
Bradbury reminded guests of the magic of returning throughout the seasons: “Have you seen LongHouse in the spring, summer, fall, and winter? Daffodils and cherry blossoms, lush summer greens, fiery autumn foliage, and witch hazel blooming in winter—it’s a place of year-round inspiration.”
Photos by BFA
Michael Mirochnik, Jodie Lichtenstein (Photo by BFA)
Honoring Art, Legacy, and a Vision for the Future
The evening honored longtime LongHouse champions Mary Jane and Charles Brock, along with visionary artist Vija Celmins. “We may be the honorees tonight, but we’re here to celebrate LongHouse,” said Mary Jane Brock. “Mother Nature and Jack Lenor Larsen gave us this masterpiece—let’s ensure it continues to flourish.”
Photos by BFA
Celmins was praised by Guggenheim Director Emeritus Richard Armstrong, who called her “relentless in her pursuit of accuracy,” describing her ocean renderings as “portraits of infinity.”
In a major announcement, LongHouse Director Carrie Rebora Barratt shared that Jack Lenor Larsen’s iconic home—a modernist structure inspired by a Shinto shrine—will soon be open to the public. A preview film by Gael Towey introduced the vision, with commentary from Pulitzer Prize-winning architecture critic Paul Goldberger.
“We gather at LongHouse not just for an event, but to reflect on what we value: creativity, connection, and care for the world around us,” Barratt said. “Your presence sustains a living laboratory of design, art, and nature.”
Star-Studded Guest List and Unforgettable Art Auction
Guests included notable names from the art and design world: Robert Wilson, Toni Ross, Eric Fischl, Cindy Sherman, Kenny Scharf, and Andy Warhol among many others, with a standout art auction curated by Benefit Art Chairs Pamela Willoughby and Dianne Benson. The auction featured an impressive lineup of works from over 80 renowned artists including Laurie Anderson, Ugo Rondinone, Ross Bleckner, and Mary Heilmann.
Also spotted: board members and supporters such as Peter Bickford and Greg McCarthy, Michele and Marty Cohen, Michele Oka Doner, and Suzanne Slesin—all of whom gathered under the stars to toast to the future of LongHouse.
A Celebration Fueled by Community (and Great Food)
The evening was made possible thanks to support from a dream roster of sponsors: Bloomberg Philanthropies, Loro Piana, Northern Trust, Wölffer Estate Vineyard, Curamia Tequila, Altima Caviar, Carissa’s Bakery, Hamptons Aristocrat, Veronica Beard, and many more. From bespoke cocktails to curated bites, every detail sparkled.
About LongHouse Reserve
Founded by world-renowned textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen, LongHouse Reserve is a 16-acre sanctuary where art and nature meet. With over 60 outdoor sculptures, rotating installations, and lush seasonal gardens, LongHouse serves as a cultural and environmental haven for the East End and beyond.
Photo by BFA
As it transitions from a founder-led to a board-led institution, LongHouse is doubling down on its mission to “inspire living with art in all forms.” With upcoming public tours of Larsen’s home, inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places, and expanded programming, it’s entering a new era—one built on creativity, sustainability, and community connection.
Plan Your Visit
📍 LongHouse Reserve is open Wednesdays–Sundays, 12:30–5 PM
🎟️ Admission: $20 for adults, free for veterans, students, and children under 12
🌿 Members enjoy early Saturday access and exclusive events
Learn more: www.longhouse.org
Pro Tip: Download the Bloomberg Connects App and search “LongHouse Reserve” for an immersive digital guide to this living museum.
